Endgame Entertainment backs 'Side Effects'

Endgame Entertainment originates aboard as financier of "Unwanted Effects," the mental thriller to become directed by Steven Soderbergh from the script by Scott Z. Burns. Deal was introduced Tuesday within the wake of Megan Ellison's Annapurna backing removed from financing. Endgame stated it's in discussions with 1984 Pictures to co-finance. Producers stated they are in discussions with Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum and Catherine Zeta Johnson to star. Plot particulars are now being stored under systems and shooting will begin in April. Open Road Films annnounced on Jan. 18 it had acquired U.S. distribution privileges for release within the first 1 / 2 of 2013. Filmnation is handling worldwide sales with respect to Endgame and can introduce the film to purchasers in the approaching Berlin Film Festival. As formerly introduced, Lorenzo di Bonaventura is creating the film with Gregory Jacobs and Scott Z. Burns, who also composed the script. Endgame's James D. Stern and Douglas E. Hansen will join the project as professional producers. Variety reported on Jan. 24 that Annapurna wouldn't be financing "Unwanted Effects." Annapurna's Megan Ellison, Marc Butan and Ted Schipper would have offered as professional producers. "Steven Soderbergh remains probably the most innovative and original company directors making films today," stated Stern. "Endgame can't wait to utilize him on which offers to be a thrilling commercial thriller having a amazing, all-star cast." Endgame's proceed to finance comes three several weeks after it released an ambitious marketing venture named Endgame Delivering to partner with equity traders, third-party producers and galleries to supply P&A funding for wide-release films. Endgame's manufacture of Rian Johnson's sci-fier "Looper," starring Frederick Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt will make the most of Endgame Delivering by co-financing marketing costs with FilmDistrict because of its release in September through Sony's Tri-Star Pictures. Endgame stated at that time that it is marketing and distribution funding (also called prints & advertising) is going to be for $20-plus million for films launched on no less than 1,800 screens which it needs to invest in the discharge of 4 to 6 films each year amassing $400 million to $500 million in P&A opportunities within the next 4 years. Tuesday's announcement did not address whether "Bitter Pill" could be handled through the P&A fund. Endgame's deal was discussed for "Bitter Pill" was negotiaed by Stern and Hansen for the organization by Wealthy Klubeck of UTA Independent Film Group with respect to the filmmakers. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

30 Rock Episode Mocks Its Very Own Stars Gay Dilemma

First Released: The month of january 20, 2012 10:05 AM EST Credit: Getty Images NY, N.Y. -- Caption Tracy Morgan smiles in the premiere of Righteous KillNBC comedy 30 Rock frequently finds laughs in tangible-existence occasions within the show business community it inhabits. But Thursdays edition specific among its very own cast people, Tracy Morgan, whofound themself in tangible-existence warm water last June after making anti-gay remarks throughout a stand-up appearance in Nashville, Tenn. Around the 30 Rock episode, Tracy Jordan, the smoothness Morgan plays, sparked a protest determination handful of absurd gay-oriented jokes in a club date. A contrite Jordan incorrectly apologizes towards the makers of Glad bags, instead of towards the Gay&Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, referred to as GLAAD. Jordans boss, performed by series star Tina Fey, needs to apologize for him. Hes incompetent at hate, she assures the media. Hes just a fool who does not understand what hes saying. In tangible existence, Tracy Morgan openly apologized to his fans and also the lgbt community for which he known as my selection of words. He refused as being a hateful person and acknowledged that even just in a comedy club what he stated went too much and wasn't funny in almost any context. Throughout his rant, Morgan had stated simply when his boy were gay, he'd take out a knife and stab him. Fey, who's even the creator as well as an executive producer of 30 Rock, released an argument at that time proclaiming I really hope for his sake that Tracys apology is going to be recognized as sincere by his lgbt co-employees at 30 Rock. Reflecting that real-existence statement on Thursdays episode, Feys character, Liz Lemon, chides Jordan by saying, Are you aware the number of of the industrious and devoted co-employees are gay? Copyright 2012 through the Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cougar Town Returning To ABC On Valentines Day

First Published: January 17, 2012 2:23 PM EST Credit: ABC Caption Courteney Cox as Jules on Cougar Town, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Cougar Town is heading back to ABC. Just one week after show boss Bill Lawrence and the cast, including Courteney Cox and Christa Miller, took part in a guerilla media event for television critics in Pasadena, Calif., ABC confirmed to Access Hollywood on Tuesday that the series will be back on the air on Valentines Day. Cougar Town will kick off its third season on February 14 at 8:30 PM, and continue every week on the same night and time. Man Up! previously held the time slot, but was pulled in December and replaced with the cross dressing comedy Work It, which was also pulled. The timeslot is currently held by repeats of Tim Allens Last Man Standing. The returning Cougar Town fits in with Valentines Day as Grayson (Josh Hopkins) is set to propose to Jules in the first episode, Courteney previously told Access. We get engaged in the first episode, Courteney told Access last Monday night. Season 3 will tackle the run up to the wedding. If we make it to the altar, Courteney teased. All the things that come with an engagement and planning a wedding will definitely unnerve the completely flappable real estate agent with a penchant for wine, Jules Cobb. Shes neurotic, but shes game for everything, Courteney told Access. Shes not that smart, but shes nervous about bringing her past baggage into the relationship. But I like it I like that were just dealing with issues head on as opposed to Will they? Wont they? They just went right for it. Beyond Jules engagement, the show in Season 3, will feature guest spots from several members of co-creator Bill Lawrences former show, Scrubs. Maybe Zach Braff did a cameo on Cougar Town, Christa Miller (Ellie) teased. Maybe a lot of the Scrubs cast did a cameo on Cougar Town You never know who stops by our show. In fact, Sarah Chalke, Christas former Scrubs co-star, is set to stir the loins of Bobby (Bryan van Holt). Bobby falls in love. Sarah Chalke, she comes in the show, Courteney said, of upcoming plot twists, adding, Travis has an accident on his skateboard and has to wear a helmet for seven episodes Lori falls in love with someone online. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Social media hogs spotlight at Midem

Months before its renowned annual film fest takes over the Palais des Festivales, Cannes plays host to Midem, the international music trade confab that takes advantage of a quieter, albeit colder and rainier, Croisette.With this 46th edition, Jan. 28-31, the trade show is attempting to keep pace with a rapidly changing ecosystem with seemingly as many income streams and platforms as there are artists to serve them.Midem director Bruno Crolot notes the importance of technology in the music industry today: Not only are fans purchasing more music through digital download sites, but they also are able to interact directly with artists through social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.According to Midem, six of the top 10 Twitter accounts are owned by musicians. YouTube has also been a powerful tech tool in the music industry, with one-third of all YouTube videos being music-driven."Social media is, for me, music business," says Crolot. "During this year's Midem, we will be focusing on the topic of engaging the public thanks to technology tools that now are used like social media. These are the best practices to get the direct connection between artists and fans."Among its many keynote conferences and industry forums, Midem will be hosting Midemlab, an international pitch competition for music industry apps and tech startups.Last year, Midemlab helped propel the launch of SoundCloud, an online music distribution platform. At this year's session, 30 startups will present their products to a jury comprised of industry-savvy members such as Groupon, Facebook and Sony Music Entertainment honchos.Further underscoring the importance of connecting fans to artists and brands, Midem will be hosting its first edition of the Midem Festival, a three-night concert series open to the general public featuring shows from international artists and up-and-coming talent."The festival is an essential part of the new Midem," Crolot explains. "We have many content conferences and topics about engaging audiences and having direct relations between music labels and fans, and between brands and customers. We really wanted to have live music at the center of the event."Crolot tells Variety that as the music industry "suffered over the last 10 years, Midem suffered as well." But Midem, like a microcosmic reflection of the music industry itself, "has had the ability to be innovative and create new formats," he notes."Thanks to repositioning and targeting, Midem will be much more relevant to its actual and future customer," Crolot adds. "For me, it's a good way to have a rebound and go back to growth."RETURN TO MUSIC FOR SCREENS: WINTER 2012 Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com